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Bill Tinsley Appointed to New Part-Time Role as Special Liaison to the Detroit Tigers/Manager of Community Resources Development

BILL TINSLEY APPOINTED TO NEW PART-TIME ROLE AS SPECIAL LIAISON TO THE DETROIT TIGERS/MANAGER OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT

LAKELAND, FL (January 31, 2012) -- Long-time Parks & Recreation employee Bill Tinsley, who has served as Department Director since 1993, including service for the past two years under a Conditional Employment Agreement following his retirement, has been appointed to a newly established part-time position as Special Liaison to the Detroit Tigers / Manager of Community Resources Development. His successor as Director of Parks & Recreation will be named within the next two weeks following completion of a selection process involving internal candidates.

Tinsley will become the City’s primary representative to start working on a new Detroit Tigers Spring Training and Minor League Operations Use Agreement. The current agreement is scheduled to expire in 2016. The position will also include responsibilities for solicitation and organization of private sector funding for special City projects and initiatives.

“Last year the City and the Detroit Tigers celebrated our 75 year Spring Training relationship - the longest in Major League Baseball and they hold a special place in our hearts. The Tigers organization and the City have already started discussions about their future capital and program needs and it is our goal to officially start the process in an effort to negotiate a successor agreement that can be added to the current agreement before it expires,” said City Manager Doug Thomas. “Bill’s history and unique understanding of their operations is an invaluable asset as we work with the team on the successor agreement. Bill has also demonstrated tremendous abilities as a fundraiser and Lakeland has benefitted greatly through the partnerships he has developed over the years.”

Thomas added, “Several community park projects enjoyed by area residents, many of which are the envy of other cities, were only possible through the generous individual, corporate and organizational contributions which now total in the millions of dollars. In today’s challenging economic climate, it is our plan to build upon the historical fundraising successes of the Park & Recreation Department and provide an organization-wide focus for public-private partnerships for future capital projects and initiatives.”

Primary job duties and responsibilities for the position include:

· Explore and analyze proposed capital and operational needs desired to support the Tigers Major and Minor League Baseball operations.

· Coordinate community events and related activities with the Tigers organization.

· Concentrated legislative efforts at both the local and state level to secure financing commitments.

· Coordinate with the Florida Grapefruit League host cities to develop a comprehensive understanding of their respective municipal baseball facilities and explore strategies to help maintain a sustainable Major League Baseball Spring Training Season in the State of Florida.

Tinsley was first employed by the City of Lakeland in 1971 and has served in a variety of positions before his appointment to the Director of Parks & Recreation in 1993. He graduated in 1971 from the University of South Florida with a degree in Physical Education, Health, and Recreation. He is a Certified Public Manager and he has been a Certified Park & Recreation Professional for almost 40 years. Tinsley will be paid an annual salary of $79,900 in his new position.